Trial of the 'Newborn Gang' baby killers begins today

The trial of the 'Newborn Gang,' in which 47 defendants are being tried for allegedly transferring emergency newborn patients to private hospitals they had pre-arranged agreements with, causing their deaths and generating illicit profits, begins today in Istanbul. 

The first hearing of the case, opened at the Bakırköy 22nd High Criminal Court, will be held today.

47 DEFENDANTS, 22 OF WHOM ARE IN CUSTODY, TO PRESENT DEFENSE

The defense statements of the 47 defendants, 22 of whom are in custody, are expected to be heard during the hearing.

The investigation, which was initiated following a tip-off received by the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate via CİMER on March 27, 2023, was conducted by the Organized Crime and Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

In the indictment prepared by the prosecutor's office regarding the deaths of 10 babies, 19 hospitals and healthcare service companies were listed as "financially liable," and 47 individuals were listed as "suspects."

The case was opened with an indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in line with a 725-page investigation file.

The 1,399-page indictment states that the criminal organization, led by defendant doctor Fırat Sarı, was managed and directed by defendant doctor İlker Gönen and 112 Emergency Call Center ambulance driver Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir.

The indictment notes that the primary goal of the criminal organization was to ensure the occupancy of the neonatal intensive care units they had taken over by bypassing the 112 referral system, manipulating the severity levels of the patients, and receiving maximum payments from the Social Security Institution (SGK).

The indictment explains that the defendants portrayed the condition of the infant patients as more severe than it actually was and ensured they were hospitalized for longer than necessary, thereby collecting high fees from the SGK and charging some patients' families extra money.

It is stated in the indictment that instead of referring infant patients to hospitals where they would receive appropriate healthcare, they were admitted to hospitals chosen by the suspects that appeared profitable for the organization, and that most of the profit was shared with the organization's members, who were healthcare workers.

The indictment reports that the main objective was not to improve the health of the babies, but to obtain the maximum possible financial gain.

REQUESTED SENTENCES

The indictment demands prison sentences ranging from 177 years and 6 months to 582 years and 9 months for defendants Fırat Sarı and İlker Gönen, for the crimes of "causing death by negligence," "qualified fraud," and "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes" (to be applied 10 times), as well as "forgery of official documents" (to be applied 11 times).

For defendant Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir, a prison sentence ranging from 180 years to 589 years and 9 months is requested for the crimes of "causing death by negligence," "unlawful acquisition of personal data," "fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations," "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," and "forgery of official documents."

Similar prison sentences are also foreseen for the other defendants for similar crimes.

The indictment also requests that security measures specific to legal entities be applied to the responsible hospitals and companies that obtained financial gain by committing the crime of "fraud," and that these hospitals and companies be shut down and their assets confiscated.

Within the scope of the investigation, the licenses of 9 hospitals in Istanbul and 1 in Tekirdağ's Çorlu district were revoked, and the babies and patients receiving treatment in these hospitals were transferred to public hospitals by ambulance.

LEADER DOCTOR IS A PKK CONVICT

Meanwhile, it has emerged that doctor Fırat Sarı, who is considered the leader of the criminal organization, was convicted of "membership in the PKK terrorist organization" during his time at medical school and graduated from university after spending approximately 5 years in prison.

On the other hand, those who threatened the life of Büyükçekmece Public Prosecutor Y.E., who is conducting the investigation into the newborn gang, in his office have also been arrested.

This investigation is still ongoing.

News Source: AA